Jacob thompson



(No Model.)

J. THOMPSON. MBRRY-GO-ROUND.

Patented Feb. 6, 1894.

JACOB THOMPSON, OF BENIOIA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO THOMAS E. MONTGOMERY, OF SAME PLACE.

MERRY-GO-ROUND.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 514,393, dated Eebruary 6, 1894.

Application filed May 31, 1892. $erial No. 435,068. (No model) To aZZ whom it nmy concern:

Be it known that I, JACOB THOMPSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Benicia, Solano county, State of California, have invented an Improvementin Merry-Go-Rounds; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to a novel device for the amusement of children.

The invention will be first described and then specifically pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawing, the figure shows an elevation of my machine.

The object of my invention is to provide a rotary traveling frame supported upon wheels, and a means by which the rider can apply his own power directly for the rotation of the machine.

A is a central pedestal of suitable form and size having any proper or well known step in which is supported a vertical post- B. From this post one or more radial arms or frames 0 extend outwardly in a horizontal direction, and upon these arms are radially journaled crank shafts D extending along and parallel with the arms having wheels E fixed to them and adapted to travel upon the surface beneath the apparatus. The single wheel E forms the sole support for the outer end of the arm or frame as well as its propeller or drive wheel.

The wheels may be fixed at any desired point and distance from the center of the machine. If fixed very close to the center, it would he manifest that power applied to the crank shafts will cause them to'travel around the central pivot post in a comparatively short time, and the speed of the machine will thus be great. If the wheels are fixed near the outer extremity of the arms so as to traverse a circle of large diameter, they will travel correspondingly more slowly. In this manner by making the wheels adjustable upon the shafts which may extend from the outer end of the frame to the center, it will be manifest that the degree of speed may be varied to suit.

The operator sits upon a saddle F of any suitable construction, arranged in any desired manner and supported from the radial frame upon which the shafts are journaled.

The cranks G in the crank shaft are provided with suitable pedals so that the rider may place his feet upon them and operate them, thus propelling the machine.

The radial arms are preferably hinged or v pivoted to the central revolving post independently of each other, and in case the apparatus is set upon the ground where the surface is notaltogether even, the hinge joints will allow the radial frames to rise and fall, and thus accommodate the apparatus to the irregularities of the ground, which may be purposely and regularly made to cause the machine to imitate a galloping movement. Any number of these radial arms may be employed, either one or several as the case may be, and the apparatus is very simply constructed and cheap, so that it can be set up for the use of any single family, if desired.

If desired brace rods B maybe employed, said rods extending from the arms or frames 6 up through a capplate (not shown) at the top of the post B. As the .rods B will be made to slide through said cap plate the rising and falling of the arms or frames 0 will not be interfered with.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A merry-go-ronnd comprising the horizontally turning arm having a vertical pivot post or axis at its inner end a shaft extending longitudinally of the arm in bearings thereon, and provided with foot cranks for rotating it, a wheel adjustable along said shaft and forming the sole support for the outer end of the said arm as well as serving as its drive wheel, and a riders seat secured to the frame adjacent to the cranks, substantially as herein described.

2. A merry-go-ronud comprising ahorizontally turning arm having a vertical post or axis at its inner end and also pivoted at its inner end to swing vertically, a shaft jour- In witness whereof I have hereunto set my naled in bearings on said arm and extending hand. longitudinally thereof, a wheel adjustable along said shaft and forming the sole sup- JACOB THOMPSON 5 port for the outer end of the arm as well as Witnesses:

serving as the drive wheel therefor, substan- JOHN LYNCH,

stantially as herein described. 7 F. J STUMM. 

